Patrick Aherne said he was "disgusted" at the New Order and Joy Division musician for writing that the comedian put cigarettes out on his arm and lunged at him with a knife in his new autobiography.

Hook was married to the Mrs Merton creator, who died of cancer aged 52 earlier this year, between 1994 and 1997.

Mr Aherne wrote on Facebook: " I am so disgusted by the claims made by Peter Hook in most of the tabloids today.

"Hook was married to my sister over 20 years ago and they were divorced because the marriage did not work well.

"What sort of man would make these claims after the death of Caroline? Is this because she is not here to defend herself?

"Why did it take Hook 20 years to make these claims? I know the general public will now realise what type of individual Hook is and I sincerely hope that they do not waste their money on his book.

"RIP Caroline - the world knows you were an amazing woman. I do not think the world will be saying the same about that excuse of a man called Peter Hook."

In his new book, Substance, Hook writes of Aherne: "Yes I loved her, yes she could be very funny, and there were times I felt privileged to have a private audience with such a great comic talent. But she was also a very troubled person and nowhere did that manifest itself more than in our relationship."

"She attacked me, using her nails to scratch at my neck, tearing off my necklace and ripping my top. It was proper shocking stuff," he added.

"And although she was really contrite the next morning, it marked the beginning of some serious screaming-banshee behaviour - putting cigarettes out on my arm, attacking me with bottles, knives, chairs and other assorted furniture."

"It would be set off by the slightest thing - talking or looking at another woman was a favourite... I was an abused husband and it's embarrassing, and you feel ashamed, and you can't tell anyone. I needed help."